ST. PAUL (AP) — A Cold Spring man who was sexually assaulted months before the abduction of Jacob Wetterling says he hopes the identification of his suspected attacker helps investigators close the 1989 case.

Jared Scheierl was 12 when he was grabbed off the streets of Cold Spring, forced into a car and sexually assaulted by a man. Nine months later, Wetterling was abducted near his home of St. Joseph.

Daniel James Heinrich was arrested last week for possessing child pornography and linked to Scheierl's attack, as his DNA was found on the sweat Scheierl wore that day. Heinrich was also named a person of interest in Wetterling's disappearance.

Scheierl said Monday he believes his attacker is also responsible for Wetterling's abduction. Public defenders representing Heinrich did not respond to requests for comment.

 

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